Bring on Oscars, say Britons

Published on Monday 12 January 2009 21:14

BRITISH talent was tipped to storm the Oscars yesterday after triumphing at the Golden Globe Awards.

Kate Winslet, 33, broke down in tears as she won best actress in a drama for her role in Revolutionary Road and best supporting actress for The Reader at the ceremony in Los Angeles. Previously, she had been nominated five times without success.

Slumdog Millionaire, a feel-good film about a Mumbai orphan, was the biggest winner, scooping four awards, including best picture and best director for Danny Boyle.

"Your mad, pulsating affection for our film is much appreciated. Really, deeply appreciated," he said.

The Golden Globes are seen as an indicator of who will win the Oscars next month. Bookmakers and film critics alike were yesterday treating Slumdog and Winslet as favourites for the awards. But voices of caution were also warning that the British invasion has faltered in the past. A big Hollywood name – such as Clint Eastwood, who directed and starred in the box-office hit Gran Torino – could win more favour than Slumdog with the thousands of film industry voters, who settle the Academy Awards.

Winslet said: "Is this really happening?" as she collected her first Globe. "You'll have to forgive me because I have a habit of not winning things," she said.

The Oscar nominations are announced in ten days, with the awards taking place in February. Ladbrokes yesterday slashed the odds on Winslet winning the best actress award that eluded her for Titanic to 3/1 from 10/1. Cate Blanchett in The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, however, would be a popular rival. The Reader, meanwhile, has fared poorly at the US box office, which might see Winslet struggle with best supporting actress.

Other British winners included Sally Hawkins, the best actress in a comedy or musical for Happy-Go-Lucky, and Simon Beaufoy, who won the screenplay award for Slumdog Millionaire.

Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan accepted the best supporting actor Globe for the late Heath Ledger for his role as the Joker in the Batman film.

Mickey Rourke won best dramatic actor for The Wrestler, which also won best song for Bruce Springsteen.

FACT BOX

The winners:

Drama: Slumdog Millionaire

Musical or Comedy: Vicky Christina Barcelona

Actor, Drama: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Actress, Drama: Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road.

Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Actor, Musical or Comedy: Colin Farrell, In Bruges

Actress, Musical or Comedy: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky

Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader

Foreign Language Film: Waltz With Bashir

Animated Film: Wall-E

Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire

Original Score: AR Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire

Original Song: The Wrestler (written and performed by Bruce Springsteen), The Wrestler